Physical culture machine



Sept' 20, 1 938. w. s. HAwLEY 2,130,922

I r I PHYSICAL CULTURE MACHINE Filed Sept. 30, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheec 1 wn-Nzsses lNvENToR Zik/ham S. )Ta/ulg WW. v a -WmMa/QM i f 7 ATTORNEYS Sept. 20, `1938. w. s. HAwLEY PHYSICAL CULTURE MACHIE Filed Sept. 50, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 mm. NQ

Patented Sept. 20, 1938 UNITED STA'TIl-S PATENT fo FfFif-e E 4 :t Claims.

This invention .relates to physical .culture machines, and particularlytoan improvedmachine for exercising differentparts of the bodybycom- `pulsoryswinging motion of the body or the .parts thereof.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a physical .culture or .exercising machine wherein the neck and .torso may be .exercised while the legs remain quiet or the. reversemay take place.

An additional object oftheinventionis to providea physical. culture device Wherelthe body of a vperson is clamped in place and then mechanically movedto exercise the ibody, stretchthespine, and exercise the various limbseither atthe same time or at .different times.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side View of one .sectionof an exercising machine disclosing certain features ofthe invention;

Fig, 2 is a topplan view .of the construction shown in Fig, .1;

Fig. 3 is a side viewsimlar to Fig. 1 but showing the parts yin different position;

Fig. 4.- .is a fragmentary sectional View show- 25 ing kthe adjustable .feature of the leg supporting V30 .of the structure shown in Fig.v5, said view illustrating how .the circuit ofthe motors is .opened when the partsaremoved to a certain position;

Fig. 'Tis a fragmentary .sectional view .through Fig. 2 on theline 1 1;

Fig. 8 is aview ofthe complete machine with the parts shown inFig. 1 vinsectionand illustrating two .positionstof the body of a person .using the machine;

Fig. 9 `is atop plan viewofthe legexercising 10 part shown yin Fig. 8.

Referring to `the .accompanying drawings vby metal or other material and may have 4suitable cross braces so that means. arepresented forsupporting the .various moving parts. On topofthe .frame I is arrangeda table 2 which may 4berigidly secured in place and which has .an .auxiliary table f3 connected therewith bya suitable hinge li. -A pad-.5 preferably of rubber is cemented or 50 otherwise rigidly secured to the auxiliary table A pad I5v preferably or rubber is secured near one end to the tab1e`2 while at the other end it is loose whereby the seat 'I'of the leg exercising, part 8 may be readilylpositioned as shown in Fig. 8. The torso exercising part as shown in Fig. -3 is (Cl. 12B-25) provided with a pair of brackets 9 each carrying a pivotal '.bolt I0 ,on ywhich certain parts are pivotally mounted .as hereinafter fully described.

As s'hown'in'Figs. 1 and 2, a bar'II is provided foreachof the bolts I andis pivotally mounted thereon. Oneendr of barI I Ais'pivotally connected atIZWith a.link'l3,while the opposite end of the bar is preferablyrounded and provided with a number 'of kapertures or bores I I as shown in Fig. '4. These apertures or bores are adapted to receive the pin I4 held by a spring I5, which spring is `riveted at I6'to the U-shaped member II. A slide ring iI'8'acts tohold the pin I4 in any of the apertures l-I I'. Thisring is held in place `by friction but vmay befrea'dilyshifted when desired to move the outer end of the U-shaped member I 'Itoward or from the bolts III. The U- shaped member II is really an-exercising frame andcarries straps'IB and 'I9 as shown in Fig. 2 and also 4a tting 20 to which one end of a spring `2I is connected. The Aopposite end of spring 2| is connected to a strap 22 which is formed in two parts and connected together by an adjusting buckle 23. The strap 22 is connected with a head harness-24 as shown in'Fig. 8. The "harness'24 is provided'with a-suitable portion extending around'the head'at the forehead, a suitable strap'portion under the chin, and other strap portions at'theback and top of the head whereby the `head -may be vpulled and supported through the action of the spring2| and associated parts. The straps I8 and fI9 areprovided with adjustable buckles and also lwith wrist'straps 25 and 29 having buckles whereby the strapsmay be properly clamped around the `wrists of the arms of a vperson using the device. The parts are preferably proportioned and adjusted so that the body of'a person-when'lying on the table 2 will have the `center 'of the hips opposite the respective 'bolts I0.

Associated with each of the bolts ID is abar 30 vhaving one sectionvextending into the .U-shaped frame'iSI in a similarmanner to that -illustrated Iin Fig-4. 'I'he opposite end of the'bar 3E! is provided `with a pivotal pin v132 4whereby it is pivotally connected with the link 33. It will be understood'that'barll in a similar manner to bar II has afcentral apertured-enlargement whereby it is 'freely rotatable on the bolt I0 which actsvas an axle therefor. of the construction shownin Fig. 4 the respective frames Il and '3| Amay be adjusted to suit different sized persons. Suitable straps 34 are provided 'for each of the 'feet of the person using thev devicewhereby the feet may be strapped to It will be noted that by reason `effort on the part of the patient.

the cross bar 3l of the frame 3|. When the head and arms are arranged as shown in Fig. 1 and also the feet are strapped to the cross bar 3l and the parts are in proper position to give a desired exercise to the patient, by swinging the frame l1 upwardly and downwardly the body of the patient will be swung upwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 and then back to the full line position. This will give a desired exercise to the torso and also a desired strain on the neck and back. After the torso and associated parts have been thus exercised, the frameY Il is left in a horizontal position as shown in Fig. v3 and then frame 3| is swung upwardly and downwardly. This will give a desired exercise to the lower legs and also the thigh portions without any In order to cause the frames to swing as just described, suitv able power means have been connected to there- -pin 46. 4l which in turn is rigidly secured to pulley 48.

spective links I3 and 33. It will be understood that both sides of the 'device have the same arrangement of links, bars and associated parts so that the description of one side willapply to both sides.

As illustrated in Fig- 3, oneend of link I3 is pivotally mounted at 35 to a crank 36 rigidly secured to the shaft 3l carrying pulley 38. This -pulley is actuated by a belt 39 passing over a small pulley 40 rigidly secured to shaft 4l. A worm wheel 42 is alsovrigidly secured to shaft 4l and continually meshes with the worm 43 which is driven by the electric motor or other power element 44.` In this way the pulley 38 is driven by a belt, and if unusual strain is brought to bear on the link I-3 and other parts this belt will slip so that the patient will not be injured. Link 33 which is associated with framev3l is pivotally mounted at its outer end to crank 45 by a pivotal C'rank 45 is` rigidly secured to the shaft Belt 49 passes over pulley Llil-and also over pulley t which is rigidly secured to shaft 5I. A pulley y52; is also rigidly secured to shaft 5I and accommodates the belt 53 which passes over the driving pulley 54, which driving pulley is rigidly secured to shaft55. A worm wheel 56 is also rigidly secured to shaft 55 and continually meshes with the worm 5l which is driven by the electric motor or other power element 58. It will therefore be seen that when either of the power elements 44. or 58 are used motion is transmitted through certain belts whereby a slippage may be had if there is an unusual resistance.

When it is'desired to swing the frame 3l upwardly and downwardly, current is turned on to the motor 44 and by the reduction in gearing above set forth frame 3l will swing upwardly and downwardly at a desired speed. After this part of the exercise has been completed, current is turned olf of the motor 44 and turned on to the motor 58, whereupon the framey Il will swing upwardly and downwardly. These two frames do not swing at the same time. By having the head, arms and legs all strapped to the respective frames, the entire body is under some tension at vall times and when the machine is caused to lfunction the body will be exercised while under tension. Removable guards 59 and 6D are -arranged on each side of the table 2 so that the body can not come in contact with any of the moving parts. After the desired exercise has been completed the feet, head and arms may be released and the auxiliary table 3 moved up to the position shown in Fig. 5. This will allow the attendant to massage the patient while lying on the tables 2 and 3.

As a safety matter the circuit of the motors 44 and 48 includes the safety switch 5| which is shown in diagram in Fig. 6. This switch includes terminals 62 and 53 and a slide connector 64 held by suitable straps 65 to the bottom vof Y the table 2. A suitable link structure 65 connects member 54 with a bracket 61 carried by the auxiliary table 3. When the auxiliary table 3 is in a horizontal position, member 64 will be moved away from or outV of contact with the terminals 62 and 63. It will thus be seen that the power elements are deprived of current during the massaging operation. It will also be understood that suitable switches are provided for each of the motors so that they may be turned on or off manuallyat any time in addition to the automatic switch shown in Fig. 6.

In providing anexercie for the body of the patient, it is not only desirable to have the movements produced by the frames il and 3l but in addition a back and forth movement of the legs.

handle .'53 whereby the hook member may be raised or lowered as desired. It will be understood `that one, two or more hooks li may be connected with the shaft 12. The frame S9 at the top is provided with an extension 'i4 which is deflected downwardly and then horizontally so as to receive the seat l, which seat is adapted to be inserted beneath the pad 5 when the leg exercising part 68 is in use.

A travelingplatform l5 is mounted on the top bars 'I6 and is adapted to be moved toward and from thelframe l. In order to secure this result and at the same time hold the platform l5 in a desired adjusted position, there is Y provided a screw gl' having a suitable crank 'i3 and extending `through a traveling nutV 19 which is secured in any desired manner to the platform l5. When the crank l is rotated the platform will be moved in one direction or the other, according to the direction of rotation of the screw 97. Suitable brackets are carried by the platform l5. whereby a crank shaft 83 is supported and on this crank shaft is mounted a pulley 8l. Connected with the crank shaft 8@ are cranks 82 and B3 and these cranks at their outer ends carry pedals 84 and f 85 which may be ordinary bicyclepedals. A belt 86 passesover the pulley 8l and also over a driving pulley 3l, which driving pulley-is rigidly secured to shaft 38. A worm wheel 89 is also secured to Ythe shaft 83 and continually-meshes with the worm 50 driven by the electric motor Si. Motor 9i, pulley 8l and associated parts are carried by a bottom platform 92 which slides on the bars 53 forming the lower part of frame 35. A traveling nut 94 is rigidly secured to the lower platform 92 and is caused to move by the fixed screw 95 which sociated parts and cause the feet and legs of the patient to move as if they were operating a bicycle. The torso may be resting on the table 2 when this takes place or, if desired, it could be raised to the dotted position shown in Fig. 8 whereby a more strenuous exercising movement will be secured. By using all parts of the exercising machine substantially all parts of the body of a person will be exercised, and in addition the spine will be pulled which secures certain desirable results. 'I'he exercise compelled by the machine is rather strenuous and consequently any one of the exercising movements can only be carried out for a very short period at one time, as for instance two or three minutes. After all parts have been exercised as described, it is usually desirable for the patient to rest on the tables 2 and 3 and have an attendant massage the partsto a greater or less extent. It will also be noted that during the exercising of all parts of the body the weight is supported but the body is under tension during the movements produced by the machine.

From Fig. 7 it will be noted that when the auxiliary platform 3 is raised it may be locked in a raised position by a suitable slide 2 carried in suitable brackets 2".

I claim:

1. A physical culture machine including a frame having a table at the top thereof adapted to receive the torso of a person, a swinging frame carried 'by the first mentioned frame, said table being adapted to receive a patient with his hips at the axis of said swinging frame, means including a spring for connecting the head of the person to the end of said frame opposite the pivotal end, and adjustable means for connecting the arms to the same end of said frame with the hands extending beyond the head.

2. A physical culture machine including a platform for receiving the head and torso of a patient, a leg exercising frame and a torso exercising frame, said frames being pivotally mounted at the same point, said platform being adapted to receive a patient with his hips at the axes of said exercising frames, whereby said frames are swingable from an axis coincident with the axis of the swinging movement of the patient, means for connecting the head and arms of the patient to the torso exercising frame at the end opposite its pivotal mounting, and means connecting the feet to the leg exercising frame at the end opposite its pivotal mounting.

3. A physical culture machine including a supporting table adapted to support the torso and head of a patient, a pair of brackets connected with said table, a U-shaped exercising frame having the free ends pivotally mounted on said brackets, said table being adapted to receive a patient with his hips at the axis of said exercising frame, adjustable means for connecting the head of the patient with the cross bar of the U-shaped frame, adjustable means for stretching the arms above the head and connecting the wrists to said cross bar, a link for swinging said frame from a horizontal to a substantially vertical position and then back again, a crank for actuating said link, and power means for driving said crank.

4. A physical culture machine including a platform for receiving the torso and head of a patient, a pair of brackets secured to said platform, an exercising frame pivotally mounted on said brackets, said frame being substantially U- shaped, means for connecting the wrists and head of the patient to the closed end of the frame, a leg exercising frame, means for' connecting the leg exercising frame with said platform so that the legs of the patient will extend over part of the leg exercising frame, and means carried by the leg exercising frame for causing the legs to move back and forth and be bent during the movement.

WILLIAM S. HAWLEY. 

